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Sheedy: Investigation needs to be thorough

The doping scandal in Australian sport continues to drag on, as investigators probe the use of performance enhancing drugs in the AFL.

After accusations of drug use at Essendon and National Rugby League club Cronulla, ASADA launched an inquiry in February.

Ten weeks on, players from Essendon are yet to be interviewed by ASADA, raising concerns about how long the investigation will last.

But Greater Western Sydney Giants coach Sheedy, who was in charge at Essendon for 27 years, said it was important to get it right.

"Let's get it on the table, clean it up and get it in the rubbish bin and start afresh. I'm really looking forward to that to be honest," Sheedy said.

"And if it takes a year or more, then let it take a year, or more."

"When I look back and watch how it unfolded - with Essendon saying, 'look I want our club investigated'.

"When (Essendon chairman) David Evans says that, I think that's a very courageous step because you never know what happens in AFL clubs or any other organisation unfortunately.

"It's pretty courageous by the club to get that put on the table.

"If it needs to be cleaned up, get it done, and we'll feel better about our sport in this country.

"We don't want to really go through what happened with the Tour de France, we don't want to let that happen."

The ongoing speculation about the use of drugs in Australian sport has sparked fears fans will turn away.

And according to Sports Minister Kate Lundy, that is another reason why it is important the ASADA investigaion is thorough.

"It represents an opportunity to get our sport cleaned up and give parents and clean athletes the confidence that they're participating in a sport, whether it's the AFL or any other sport, on a level playing ground," Lundy said.

Essendon have made an unbeaten start to the season despite the doping scandal surrounding the club.